Poland and three Baltic states are considering unilaterally banning or limiting visas to Russian citizens if there is no agreement to do so at the European level, they announced on Wednesday.

European foreign ministers meeting in Prague on Wednesday are divided over banning or reducing access to the European Union for Russian tourists to punish them for the war in Ukraine, kyiv said. In the absence of consensus on restrictions on Schengen visas, which require the consensus of member states, twenty-seven countries could agree to a total suspension of the 2007 agreement between the EU and Moscow, allowing short-stay visas. Visas (simplified and expedited procedure).

After the outbreak of the conflict, this agreement was partially suspended by the EU for some Russian citizens (official representatives, diplomatic passport holders, business leaders, etc.), but others continued to benefit. Without these facilities, the traditional procedure for obtaining a visa for the Schengen area (22 EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) would apply, longer and more expensive.

AFP, which borders Russia, said a joint statement by Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would mark a total suspension. “The Necessary First Step” But it was necessary “Strictly limit the number of visas issued, especially tourist visas, to reduce the flow of Russian citizens to the EU and the Schengen area”.

“Until such measures are implemented at the EU level, we will … consider introducing temporary visa bans or entry restrictions at the national level for Russian citizens. EU visa holders »They added that while protecting the exceptions “For dissidents and other humanitarian cases”.